CLASS 5A FIRST ROUND STATE PLAYOFF MATCHUP
N0. 19 OVERLAND (5-4) vs. NO. 14 MULLEN (5-4)
Nov. 2, De La Salle Stadium (Mullen H.S.), 7 p.m.
BREAKDOWN: Overland and Mullen last played during the 2009-10 regular season when both teams were in the Centennial League, with the Mustangs rolling to a 28-0 victory in their last season in the league. This season’s playoff matchup will be televised on ROOT Sports. …OVERLAND: The Trailblazers are back in the 5A playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 season following a pair of one-win seasons. Overland’s last postseason appearance came under former coach Tony Manfredi and ended in a 30-19 first round loss to Mountain Vista. …New coach Seth Replogle has led the Trailblazers to five wins, including two in league play after two seasons without one. …With a veteran offensive line — which won Aurora’s annual Hog Wars strength competition at Rangeview prior to the season — and speed at the skill positions, Overland has rushed for 1,893 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season. After missing all but one game of last season with an injury, sophomore quarterback Austin Conway has been explosive all season for the Trailblazers, rushing for a team-high 892 yards — a shade under 100 per contest — in addition to 17 touchdowns. Through the air, he’s racked up another 1,055. Juwaun Davis is Overland’s leading receiver with 268 yards. …MULLEN: The Mustangs — who lost in the quarterfinals of last season’s playoffs in the last game under former coach Dave Logan — started their first season under new coach Tom Thenell with a one-point victory over Valor Christian, but have just alternated wins and losses in their final eight games, including a 28-3 victory over Lakewood in their regular season finale. …Mullen has a big playmaker in the backfield, as senior Conor Brady is the team’s leading rusher (1,182 yards, 15 touchdowns) and receiver (306 yards, 2 TDs). Quarterback Gasper Dominici has thrown for 1,254 yards and seven touchdowns, but has just two TD passes in his past four games. Defensively, the Mustangs have racked up 26 sacks, including five by playmaker Patrick Healy, while Castille Beyers has a team-best 77 tackles. …The winner plays either either No. 3 Cherokee Trail or No. 30 Mountain Range in the second round.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
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